Page 97 of 139
174
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-I am never reluctant to support any project for improving recreational facilities and I am the first to agree that two indoor stadia would be most acceptable to residents of the Colony, particularly in inclement weather.
I must however sound a word of caution and point out that such buildings on account of the large roof spans are extremely expensive and that members of this Council should not reach decisions too rapidly without taking into account all problems of cost and construction and the relative merits of other recreational projects. There is also the question of land which could probably be spared in Victoria Park but which would present greater difficulties in or near Kowloon Tsai Park.
I have of course every confidence in the ability of the relevant Select Committee to handle this proposal in its proper perspective and I have therefore much pleasure in supporting the motion.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I would ask for some clarification if the proposer would agree to do so, Mr. Chairman, bearing in mind what you have just observed. It seems to me that the terms of this motion do in fact commit the Council to recommend to Government the allocation of these funds, not only in the first paragraph but also in the second paragraph, clearly that the Select Committee is to prepare and submit to the appropriate authority suitable plans and estimates for this purpose. I am wondering whether it would be better to say "to submit if thought fit" or whether it is in fact the intention of the proposer to compel the Select Committee to submit plans even though they find that there are snags which are to be considered.
CHAIRMAN:-Are you proposing an amendment?
MR. BERNACCHI:-Before I do so I wonder whether the proposer would clarify this point as to whether it is the intention of the motion to bind the hands of the Select Committee or whether in fact he intends the Select Committee to be left free to determine this matter one way or the other once they have considered it.
CHAIRMAN:-Yes, I think that is a point that requires clarification.
MR. SALES:-I would like, Mr. Chairman, in clarification to point out that, although Mr. Bernacchi had the opportunity of commenting on this motion in the same way as you and other colleagues did, yet I heard nothing from Mr. Bernacchi; otherwise, I would certainly have clarified it before.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
175
This motion arises from a paper which you issued to the Parks and Playgrounds Select Committee which led to a private talk between us; this motion as it is worded does not bind the Parks and Playgrounds Select Committee to putting forward any estimate or plan which, in the opinion of the Parks and Playgrounds Select Committee, is beyond the means of implementation of the Hong Kong Government at this time. May I perhaps reveal a secret in clarifying this? That you have done considerable research on the subject? At one time I feared that the Public Works Department might go out of business if you pursued the matter further!
CHAIRMAN:-I think that is the assurance you wanted?
MR. BERNACCHI:-That was indeed.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-That point having been clarified I would like to strongly support this motion because I have heard it said so many times from people, ordinary people, that the only form of entertainment they have at night is to go to the movies. I know of people who go to the movies three or four times a week because they have nothing better to do.
If we had one or two indoor sports stadiums in the Colony, I am sure that they would be well patronized, especially at night. Hong Kong people are industrious and work very long hours. It is only fitting that we should provide them with healthy, and I should add, healthful, recreation after their long hours of work.
I should imagine that any indoor sports stadium should provide space for popular games such as badminton, basket-ball and table tennis. I might suggest for the consideration of the relevant Select Committee, that they go into the desirability of having even a gymnasium and also a bowling alley. I understand that some of our council members are particularly interested in a bowling alley.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
MR. A. de O. SALES moved the following resolution:-
"That this Council set up a City Hall Policy Select Committee by virtue of Standing Order No. 22(1) for the purpose of advising the Council on all matters affecting the City Hall."
Page 97 of 139
Page 97 of 139
Page 97 of 139
174
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-1 am never reluctant to support any project for improving recreational facilities and I am the first to agree that two indoor stadia would be most acceptable to residents of the Colony, particularly in inclement weather.
I must however sound a word of caution and point out that such buildings on account of the large roof spans are extremely expensive and that members of this Council should not reach decisions too rapidly without taking into account all problems of cost and construction and the relative merits of other recreational projects. There is also the question of land which could probably be spared in Victoria Park but which would present greater difficul- ties in or near Kowloon Tsai Park.
I have of course every confidence in the ability of the relevant Select Committee to handle this proposal in its proper perspective and I have therefore much pleasure in supporting the motion.
MR. BERNACCHI :~I would ask for some clarification if the proposer would agree to do so, Mr. Chairman, bearing in mind what you have just observed. It seems to me that the terms of this motion do in fact commit the Council to recommend to Govern- ment the allocation of these funds, not only in the first paragraph but also in the second paragraph, clearly that the Select Committee is to prepare and submit to the appropriate authority suitable plans and estimates for this purpose. I am wondering whether it would be better to say "to submit if thought fit" or whether it is in fact the intention of the proposer to compel the Select Committee to submit plans even though they find that there are snags which are to be considered.
CHAIRMAN :—;
-Are you proposing an amendment?
MR. BERNACCHI :-Before I do so I wonder whether the pro- poser would clarify this point as to whether it is the intention of the motion to bind the hands of the Select Committee or whether in fact he intends the Select Committee to be left free to determine this matter one way or the other once they have considered it.
CHAIRMAN :—Yes, I think that is a point that requires clari-
fication.
MR. SALES :—I would like, Mr. Chairman, in clarification to point out that, although Mr. Bernacchi had the opportunity of commenting on this motion in the same way as you and other colleagues did, yet I heard nothing from Mr. Bernacchi; otherwise, I would certainly have clarified it before.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
175
This motion arises from a paper which you issued to the Parks and Playgrounds Select Committee which led to a private talk between us; this motion as it is worded does not bind the Parks and Playgrounds Select Committee to putting forward any estimate or plan which, in the opinion of the Parks and Playgrounds Select Committee, is beyond the means of implementation of the Hong Kong Government at this time. May I perhaps reveal a secret in clarifying this? That you have done considerable research on the subject? At one time I feared that the Public Works Depart- ment might go out of business if you pursued the matter further!
CHAIRMAN :---I think that is the assurance you wanted?
MR. BERNACCHI :-That was indeed.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :- -That point having been clarified I would like to strongly support this motion because I have heard it said so many times from people, ordinary people, that the only form of entertainment they have at night is to go to the movies. I know of people who go to the movies three or four times a week because they have nothing better to do.
If we had one or two indoor sports stadiums in the Colony, I am sure that they would be well patronized, especially at night. Hong Kong people are industrious and work very long hours. It is only fitting that we should provide them with healthy, and I should add, healthful, recreation after their long hours of work.
I should imagine that any indoor sports stadium should provide space for popular games such as badminton, basket-ball and table tennis. I might suggest for the consideration of the relevant Select Committee, that they go into the desirability of having even a gymnasium and also a bowling alley. I understand that some of our council members are particularly interested in a bowling alley.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
MR. A. de O. SALES moved the following resolution :—
"That this Council set up a City Hall Policy Select Com- mittee by virtue of Standing Order No. 22(1) for the purpose of advising the Council on all matters affect- ing the City Hall."
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.